Mueller Shocks Hesham to Keep Qatar Classic Title Defence on Track. The second day of the Q-Terminals Qatar Classic 2023 in Doha brought high-intensity squash action, with some of the sport’s biggest names battling for supremacy.
Among them, World No.1 Ali Farag showed his class and resilience, keeping his title-defense campaign on course, while Switzerland’s World No.24 Nicholas Mueller pulled off a stunning upset by eliminating last year’s semi-finalist Mazen Hesham.
Mueller Shocks Hesham to Keep Qatar Classic Title Defence on Track
Ali Farag, a familiar figure on the courts of the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, faced a formidable challenge from fellow Egyptian Youssef Soliman in their 55-minute encounter. The match tested Farag’s patience and endurance as Soliman took the first game 11-6, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats. Despite the early setback, Farag showcased his experience and tactical prowess, winning the next three games with scores of 11-4, 11-8, and 11-4 to secure a 3-1 victory. This hard-fought win marked his progression to consecutive quarter-finals at the Qatar Classic.
“It was a tough battle, but nothing I didn’t expect. Yusuf has been knocking on the door for years. He’s beaten some of us before, and I think this season he’s playing the best squash of his career,” Farag said after the match. Despite Soliman’s strong start, Farag remained composed and made strategic adjustments to regain control. “I stuck to my usual game plan, trying to wear him out, but I think I overdid it a little,” he added. Farag’s ability to adapt under pressure proved decisive, allowing him to overcome the challenge and continue his quest for another Qatar Classic title.
Chasing a Record Fourth Title
If Farag goes all the way, he could join compatriot Mohamed ElShorbagy as the player with the most Qatar Classic titles, following his previous victories in 2018, 2019, and 2023. The 32-year-old World No.1 has expressed his affection for the tournament, citing the strong support from the local Arab community and the Egyptian fans in Doha.
“It feels like playing in my own country, thanks to the Arab support and the number of Egyptians here,” Farag noted. The atmosphere, combined with the top-notch organization of the event, brings out the best in him, and Farag is eager to push deeper into the tournament.
Mueller’s Shocking Victory Over Hesham
While Farag advanced to the next round, the day’s biggest surprise came from Nicholas Mueller, who delivered an exceptional performance to defeat World No.5 Mazen Hesham. The Swiss player won 3-1 with a scoreline of 12-10, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, securing a spot in the quarter-finals of a Platinum event for the first time since April 2022. Mueller’s victory over Hesham was particularly significant as it marked his first win over the Egyptian in their last 10 encounters.
Reflecting on his win, Mueller said, “Nobody is going to beat me 10 times apart from maybe Simon Rösner,” referring to his previous challenges against top-ranked players. Mueller also shared fond memories of playing in Doha, where he achieved one of his first major victories by beating Amr Shabana. His triumph over Hesham has reignited his confidence, and Mueller now looks forward to a highly anticipated clash with Ali Farag.
“We played a couple of weeks ago in Egypt, and it was quite a close game, but he is the best player in the world at the moment,” Mueller said, acknowledging the challenge ahead. However, with a day of rest before the quarter-finals, Mueller remains optimistic about his chances, hoping to build on his recent form and create another upset in Doha.
Tarek Momen and Diego Elias Set for Quarter-Final Showdown
Another Egyptian, Tarek Momen, also secured his spot in the quarter-finals, defeating Frenchman Sebastien Bonmalais in straight games (11-7, 11-9, 11-9). Momen, a former World Champion and a finalist at the Qatar Classic in 2017, will now face reigning World Champion Diego Elias of Peru for a place in the semi-finals. Elias, who won the Qatar Classic in 2021 and finished runner-up last year, advanced with a commanding 3-0 victory over Germany’s Raphael Kandra (11-3, 11-5, 11-2). The Elias-Momen clash promises to be one of the highlights of the tournament as both players are in exceptional form.
Women’s Action Heats Up as Nour El Sherbini Dominates
In the women’s competition, World No.1 Nour El Sherbini continued her march towards the title with a straight-game victory over fellow Egyptian Sana Ibrahim. El Sherbini, one of the most dominant figures in women’s squash, will next face England’s Georgina Kennedy, who defeated Welshwoman Tesni Murphy to book her place in the quarter-finals. Also advancing to the next round is Egypt’s Hania El Hammamy, who overcame her compatriot Salma Eltayeb, while Belgium’s Tinne Gilis secured a spot in the quarters by defeating England’s Jasmine Hutton.
As the Q-Terminals Qatar Classic 2023 progresses, the competition intensifies, with both seasoned champions and rising stars vying for glory on the prestigious glass courts of Doha. Ali Farag, Nicholas Mueller, and the rest of the quarter-finalists are set to deliver thrilling squash action in the coming days.